Until now the writer’s identity has remained a closely guarded, well, secret.

But fans believe they have pieced together enough clues to unmask TSF as one-time Stoke City striker Dave Kitson.

The
career of the ginger haired frontman – who now plays for Sheffield United – closely matches the events described in the book.

And
determined fans have unearthed video footage of incidents the TSF says he was involved in, including being tackled heavily by Manchester United’s Antonia Valencia.

Last
night Kitson was unavailable for comment. When the Sunday Mercury quizzed his club over the claims on Friday, Sheffield United spokesman Kevin Cookson, said: “As far as we are concerned, this is not a Sheffield United issue and will not be putting this question to any of our players, particularly the day before a game.”

Published

The Secret Footballer was first published as a column in a national newspaper.

The
candid accounts of players’ views on everything from fans and pundits to boozy nights out was an instant hit with supporters.

He
also told of a footballer’s wife who had an illicit liaison with another player in a hotel pool, while there on holiday with her husband.

A website – www.whoisthesecretfootballer.co.uk – was set-up with a checklist of criteria players must match to be considered.

They include:

1. Is he English?

2. Is he currently married?

3. Has he played under at least 4 managers?

4. Has he had a transfer between 2 Premiership clubs?

5. Was he a Premier League player in January 2011?

6. Has he played with a group of French players at one club?

7. Has he played with a striker who refused to move unless the pass went exactly where he wanted it?

8. Did he play for one manager for a considerable amount of time who was great before losing it?

One wrote: “Looks nailed on as Dave Kitson for me.” While another stated: “Enough already, it’s Dave (Kitson)!”

Kitson,
33, from Hitchin, Hertfordshire, was not the product of a Premier League team’s academy. Instead – just like TSF describes – he played his
way through the divisions after he was signed by non-league Cambridge United in 2001.

There he scored 40 goals in two seasons before being snapped up by Championship outfit Reading two years
later, where he experienced the ecstasy of promotion to the Premier League in 2006.

But the glory days did not last as Reading suffered the agony of relegation on the last day of the 2008 season, something TSF says he also experienced.

Kitson
managed to stay in the Premier League however by joining Stoke City, another strong clue as the TSF tells how he regretted leaving a relegated club to stay in the top flight.

Fans even tracked down a recent interview Kitson gave to a Danish TV station.

The
sharp-witted interviewer asks the striker if he had ever visited Denmark, Kitson’s reply – of being driven to beach holidays in the country by his dad as a child – also matches the account given in TSF book.